Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Mark 14.6. We have already mentioned this woman when explaining about the widow who gave two cents which was all she had. In fact, as the Lord’s death approaches, the feelings of hearts are affirmed and manifested. On the one hand, hatred and contempt on the part of the leaders of the people who are plotting in Jerusalem. On the other, love and respect in the familiar house of Bethany where this woman does a “good deed” towards Him, the fruit of intelligent love. It is a beautiful illustration of the worship of the children of God. For they recognize in a rejected Savior one who is worthy of all homage; and they express to him by the Spirit and in the feeling of their unworthiness, that adoration which is for his heart a perfume of inestimable value. Note here that it is the men who do the evaluation, thus reducing everything to a question of money.
In addition, there is no lack of criticism of these worshipers, even from some believers who place beneficence or the gospel before any other Christian activity. But, without neglecting these things, let us not forget that praise is the first of our duties. And let us be happy with the Lord’s approval to accomplish with a broken spirit symbolized by this vessel, the holy service of worship, the only one that is done directly to Him and for eternity.
Car cette femme brisa un vase d’albâtre plein d’un parfum de nard pur, de grand prix, qu’elle répandit sur la tête du Seigneur Jésus. Mais quelques-uns des disciples s’indignèrent et dirent: “A quoi bon perdre ce parfum? On aurait pu le vendre plus de trois cents deniers, et les donner aux pauvres. Et ils s’irritaient contre cette femme.” Les disciples et Judas surtout (Mat 26.8; Jn 12.4), manifestaient combien ils comprenaient peu les sentiments de cette femme, qui provenaient de son grand amour pour le Seigneur Jésus. Car cet amour la rendait capable de comprendre ce qu’il convenait de témoigner à son Seigneur au moment où les hommes allaient montrer leur haine contre l’objet de son cœur, haine qui ne serait assouvie que par la mort de Celui dont ils ne pouvaient plus supporter la présence bénie au milieu d’eux.
Mais Jésus dit: Laissez-la. Pourquoi lui faites-vous de la peine? Elle a fait une bonne action à mon égard; car vous avez toujours les pauvres avec vous, et vous pouvez leur faire du bien quand vous voulez, mais vous ne m’avez pas toujours. Elle a fait ce qu’elle a pu; elle a d’avance embaumé mon corps pour la sépulture. Car elle veut, au contraire, montrer combien la personne de Jésus a de prix pour elle; car elle a appris à ses pieds, les perfections et les gloires de l’Homme-Dieu. Car il n’y avait rien de trop grand à ses yeux pour exprimer le prix d’une telle personne pour elle.
For this woman broke an alabaster vessel full of the perfume of pure spikenard, of great price, which she poured out on the head of the Lord Jesus. But some of the disciples were indignant and said, “What is the use of losing this perfume? We could have sold it for more than three hundred denarii, and given it to the poor. And they were angry with this woman. ” The disciples and especially Judas (Mat 26.8; Jn 12.4), showed how little they understood the feelings of this woman, which came from her great love for the Lord Jesus. For this love enabled her to understand what it was appropriate to witness to her Lord at the moment when men were about to show their hatred against the object of her heart, a hatred which would only be satisfied by the death of Him from whom they could not. no longer endure the blessed presence in their midst.
But Jesus said: Leave her alone. Why are you bothering him? She did a good deed towards me; for you always have the poor with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me. She did what she could; she has in advance embalmed my body for the burial. Because she wants, on the contrary, to show how much the person of Jesus has for her; for she has learned at her feet the perfections and the glories of the Man-God. For there was nothing too big in her eyes to express the value of such a person for her.
For this act was precious in the heart of Jesus, at a time such as this, when all were opposed to him, and when his disciples even entered so little into his thoughts and knew so little to understand their Master and to witness to him what was wrong with him. suited. And such an act was so intimately connected with the death of Christ that one could not speak of this death, the basis of the gospel, let alone what Mary had done. For Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to deliver Jesus to them. After hearing him, they were overjoyed, and promised to give him money. And Judas was looking for a favorable opportunity to hand him over.
Note that the state of Judas presents a distressing contrast to that of Mary. As she shows her devotion and esteem to the Lord in such a dignified manner, and rejoices her heart, Judas will rejoice the hearts of the chief priests and leaders of the people by offering to hand over her Master to them for money.
We should serve him according to our means, according to our capacities, what matters is that love for him makes us act; this alone gives our works their value before God. May we all love the Lord enough to understand better what we can do for him in the midst of the rejecting world, today as then. Soon any opportunity will disappear for us to do something for him in the presence of those who hate him; this is why we must take the opportunity when it presents itself, because we are in the last days; and the Lord is near, for he is coming. Finally, let’s note that the fact that the feast of unleavened bread covers a period of seven days symbolizes the celebratory character of our pilgrimage on earth.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
- Christ defends the weak:
# Approval of Women by Christ
- the cane woman: Mt 15.28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
- Mary of Bethany: Mk 14.6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
- A centurion: Luke 7.9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
- John the Baptist: Luke 7:28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
- A poor widow: Luke 21.3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
# Disapproval expressed by Christ:
- Regarding Peter: Mark 8.33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
- With regard to the eleven who did not believe in his resurrection:
Mark 16.14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
- With regard to the disciples who could not heal the demoniac:
Lk 9.41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” Luke 24.25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
- With regard to those who sought only bread and fish:
Jn 6:26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
- With regard to those who criticized Mary:
Jn 12.7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial; Rev 3.17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
# Divine protector: a tusk:
Ps 5.12 Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield; Ps 31.3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me; Isa 31.5 Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.” Isa 37.35 “I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant!” Zech 9.15 and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar; Zech 12.8 On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.
# Good works ordered:
- Glorify God: Mt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Enrichment of life: 1 Tim 6.18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
- Offer an example to follow: Tt 2.7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
- Tend to urge others to accomplish their task: Heb 10.24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
- Demonstrate the reality in faith: James 2.17-18 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds; 1 P 2.12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
In the end, we note that the gesture of Mary of Bethany May we all love the Lord enough to better understand what we can do for him in the midst of the rejecting world, now and then. Soon any opportunity will disappear for us to do something for him in the presence of those who hate him; this is why we must take the opportunity when it presents itself, because we are in the last days; and the Lord is near, for he is coming. the feelings of hearts are affirmed and manifested. On the one hand, hatred and contempt on the part of the leaders of the people who are plotting in Jerusalem. On the other, love and respect in the familiar house of Bethany where this woman does a “good deed” towards Him, the fruit of intelligent love. It is a beautiful illustration of the worship of the children of God. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to follow such an example.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week “the celebration of the Passover and the institution of the Lord’s Supper.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.